Police Blockade Istanbul CHP HQ as Court Appoints Interim Leadership

Turkey's main opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), is embroiled in a political crisis as a court ruled to suspend its elected Istanbul provincial leadership over allegations of irregularities in the 2023 provincial congress. The court-appointed an interim board led by Gürsel Tekin, a figure aligned with the party's former leadership, prompting strong resistance and protests from CHP members outside the Istanbul headquarters. Police responded to the protests by surrounding the building, blocking access roads, and using tear gas and water cannons, leading to several detentions and injuries amid tense standoffs. CHP officials and supporters denounced the police blockade as an occupation and an attempt by the government to reshape the party through judicial means, with calls for public demonstrations to defend the party's autonomy. The situation has heightened political tensions in Istanbul, with CHP leaders urging supporters to rally in defense of the party, framing the conflict as a broader struggle for democracy and the republic. The ongoing standoff highlights deepening political polarization and challenges to opposition parties in Turkey.